Displaying items by tag: Weibel Ave

[Photos provided]

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Since early January, differently abled kids of all ages have been learning to skate and practicing at the Weibel Arena. On Saturday, March 17, the culmination of their hard work will be showcased in an Olympicthemed ice show. Skaters, assisted by volunteers, will demonstrate their newly acquired skills, as well as perform some fancy group footwork. Starting at 2 p.m., the public is invited free of charge to cheer on the skaters and volunteers at the Saratoga Springs Ice Rink’s 30 Weibel Avenue location. Refreshments will follow the show, along with some ‘puppy love’ from area therapy dogs and service dog pups-in-training.

As an annual service project of the Saratoga Springs Lions Club, the Saratoga Adaptive Ice Skating Stars Program brings together differently abled youth with volunteers and expert ice skaters, providing fun and instructional sessions.  The program runs January through March on Saturday mornings or afternoons. Ice times vary, according to the city rink’s schedule. Each year the program culminates with a themed grand finale showcasing the newly acquired ice skating skills of
 the children. Saratoga Stars is a free program and all skating and assistive equipment is provided.

“This program has helped my child build self-conafidence and independence to do other athletic activities,” says one skater’s parent.

“This program ROCKS!” says one legally blind skater.

For more information about the Saratoga Stars, contact Program Coordinator Mike Stoneback at mstoneba@nycap. rr.com or 518-879-3607. For more information about the Lions Club, visit www.saratogaspringslions.com or their Facebook page: Saratoga Adaptive Ice Skating Stars.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Future Olympians from across the United States will compete for National Short Track Age Group titles at the Saratoga Springs Weibel Ave. Ice Rink, Friday — Sunday, March 23 - 25.  

RACE TIMES:  Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.  

Hosted by the Saratoga Winter Club, the U.S. Short Track Age Group National Championships and the American Cup 3 Final will offer spectators a first-hand view of the fastest human powered sport.  Starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, current Olympians (returning from South Korea) will give an informal presentation, “Olympian: Vision to Execution;” give demonstrations on equipment and speed skating techniques (with audience participation, at 4 p.m.);

Six Saratoga Winter Club athletes will be competing. In addition, the Ice Cut Food Truck Festival (Saturday, March 24, 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.) will offer up a variety of delicious, fun food for spectators: pulled pork, wraps, waffles and more.  Last but not least, The Skate Extravaganza, on Saturday, March 24 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. features music, lights and the 500 meter sprint and 3000 meter relay finals. The Skate Extravaganza races will be some, if not the most exciting events of the weekend. The Saratoga Winter Club has a great history of hosting successful events ranging from local races to World Cup events and has brought up numerous Olympians in both short track and long track skating. This is the largest speed skating competition in the United States and it is the first time in over a decade SWC has been awarded this particular competition, offering our local community the rare opportunity to see, first hand, some of the best speed skaters in the United States.All events are free and open to the public.

[All photos by www.PhotoAndGraphic.com]

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coach David Torres has been coaching the Saratoga Springs ice hockey team for seven years now. With the league games starting this week, Torres and his guys are ready to take their solid defense to the ice.

“We’ll be very competitive in the league. We have excellent goalies and excellent defense, I think those will be our strong points this season,” Torres said.

“We’re still learning to play together. We’re still young but we have some proven leaders on the team,” he explained.

The team has 23 players total this season; three goalies, eight defensemen, and 12 forwards.

“We had a record number of kids try out for the team; it was very competitive. It’s a lot of talent coming up. I like our team, I think we’ll be very competitive in the league and hopefully we could return to sectional finals if we do all the right things during the season and if we stay healthy, we should be in the mix,” Torres said.

Ryan Jones, a senior and one of the captains, has played hockey since he was four years old and is playing on varsity for his third season and plays hockey year-round.

“Ryan’s a great leader in the locker room. He leads by example and leads by being a good influence on the younger guys on the squad,” Torres said of Jones.

Matt Shamburger, a senior and third-year varsity player, is also one of the teams’ captains.

“Being a captain is a big role on the team and I’m taking it very seriously. I’m trying to lead our team and I want to create a team where the youngest and oldest get along, no one gets excluded. I think it’s really important that everyone feels like we’re all one unit. It helps the team perform at a higher level and creates a more fun environment for everyone,” Shamburger said.

Xavier Clarke, a sophomore who has played on varsity for two years, is described by Torres as, “a great player, one of the best defensemen in the league.”

“It’s pretty fun being a captain,” Clarke said, “I’ve got a whole different role on the team now rather than just being a regular player.”

All of the captains agree, they have a young offensive line and that is looking like their biggest challenge for this season, but that’s why they have upped their intensity this year in practice.

“I love the practices. The kids come to learn every day. They’re so enthusiastic about learning, they hate to miss practice. There’s just something about our practices that’s inviting. I’m not sure what that is exactly but maybe it’s the comradery combined with the fun drills we have. They want to learn, they work hard, and at the same time they have fun,” Torres said.

“During our practices we’ve been working really hard, conditioning more than ever before. We have a young team this year so everyone is out there working as hard as they can to prove themselves and that helps the older guys too,” Shamburger explained.

Jones had nothing but praise for freshman Will Detora, who started on varsity this season.

“We had watched him at his youth hockey games, we knew he’d be good but we didn’t expect him to make this much of an impact. He’s playing on the second line for us and he has been really impressive so far,” Jones praised.

Shamburger has been impressed so far with goalie Brad Hipsley, a senior.

“Brad’s a baseball guy but he came back for one last season with us. He’s been working really hard and we’ve all been extremely surprised at how well he’s been doing. We think he’ll be a starter for us this season and we’re really happy to have him back. He’s definitely a big factor for our team,” Shamburger said.

“Playing the game you love,” Jones simplified, “nothing beats it.”